FORT KNOX, Ky. – 6th Regiment, Advanced Camp Cadets finished the Confidence Course during Cadet Summer Training on July 2, placing them one step closer to graduation. “The confidence course is a set of obstacles you have to maneuver yourself through,” said Cadet Sarah Toomey from Marquette University. “It tests your ability to trust yourself and also to trust the people around you, because they’re all safeties there to catch you. It’s a lot of stuff with heights and climbing, things I am scared of, so it definitely puts yourself to the test.” There are many obstacles throughout the course that [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Cadets in the 3rd Regiment closed out their training time at Advanced Camp with the 12-mile ruck march this morning, July 3. It was a victorious moment; cadences were shouted, hands were raised to the sky in triumph, smiles were plastered on every face. From Cadet to Cadet, words of encouragement were shared as they marched nearer and nearer to the “Mission Accomplished” banner that flew at their ending point. With “Eye of the Tiger” playing, the 3rd Regiment crossed the finish line. Rucks were plopped on the ground as Cadets fell to their knees in relief. [...]

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g65zqR9-gms[/embedyt] FORT KNOX, Ky. — 1st Regiment, Basic Camp, Cadets completed Land Navigation training, a vital tool for all soldiers on July 3. “From the Private to the General, this is a skill that every soldier needs to know,” Staff Sgt. Richard Heinzman, a land navigation instructor, said. Cadets were responsible for finding at least three out of four given points in order to achieve a passing grade. While time played a part in this training (three hours to complete the course), rushing could cause Cadets to make unwarranted mistakes. “I think a lot of it is being precise,” Cadet [...]

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mb3Pp3ce6VE[/embedyt] Fort Knox, Ky. – Seventh Regiment Cadets spent the day hoping to hit the mark at George Blair Range for weapons qualification. For some Cadets, this morning was nerve-racking while for others like Cleveland State University Cadet David Kullik, from North Olmsted, Ohio, this was a morning full of excitement. “I am actually really excited,” Kullik said. “It is always fun to throw rounds down range and be with your friends. It is fun testing yourself. Marksmanship is an important soldiering skill, everyone needs to know it. It is really fun to put it to the test and compete [...]

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hgYYGbzCBIY[/embedyt] Third Regiment Cadets endured 29 days of high temperatures, monsoon rainstorms and nights in the woods during Advanced Camp at Fort Knox, Kentucky. Through those 29 days of harsh conditions, Cadets from 3rd Platoon, B Company, 3rd Regiment, Advanced Camp, learned to persevere as a team. “A lot of the conditions for this summer have been horrendous rain and thunderstorms, so from start to finish, as a platoon, they learned to adapt and apply everything they learned [over] the last three years in adverse situations,” Capt. Jonathan Dieckman, an ROTC instructor at Bowling Green State University, said. Coming together [...]

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=12Zw73W0L-M[/embedyt] Sun beaming down, heat category rising, Cadets from the 8th Regiment, Delta Co., of Advanced Camp were training for Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TC3) nonetheless. Monday morning, July 1, brought 8th Regiment Cadets their first real day of Advanced Camp training. In-processing over with, it was time to get into the nitty gritty of the U.S. Army. TC3 brought them that grit. How to Save a Life “We do a scenario where they take fire and their battle buddy goes down,” Lt. Col. Danielle Rodondi, professor of military science at Augusta University and the Officer in Charge (OIC) for [...]

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5TmwTXuMlbI[/embedyt] FORT KNOX, Ky. – 3rd Regiment, Advanced Camp Cadets enhanced their tactical skills and defense strategies at their Field Training Exercise, FTX, June 30 during Cadet Summer Training. The first two objectives, including gathering intelligence and performing reconnaissance on the base as well as capturing the base from the opposing forces, were executed with precision, according to Capt. Talisa Dauz. “They knocked it out of the park. It’s probably one of the best missions we’ve done so far,” said Dauz. “Once they attacked the enemy, they were able to seize this terrain and the mission. They are currently on [...]

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hw7AaXFOYXc[/embedyt] Fourth Regiment, Advanced Camp, Cadets conducted an attack on a group of Opposing Force (OPFOR) at approximately 8:15 a.m. today. “Today, they were focused on the first mission, which was an attack. An attack to defense,” Clarkson University Instructor, Master Sgt. James Prescott said. The attack was the first lane 4th Regiment was scheduled to complete for the Field Training Exercise I (FTX I), but the lane did not go as planned. The Cadets ended up defending their position after an ambush from the OPFOR team. Trouble stirred when information was not communicated correctly and the platoon got off [...]

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d0hauZP5z1w[/embedyt] Basic Camp Cadets of the 1st Regiment, Bravo Co., completed the High Ropes Course at Forest Hills Climbing Complex this morning, June 30. The Climb With the sun beaming down, Cadets were divided out amongst three obstacles: the Rock Wall, the Alpine Tower and the Rudder’s High Ropes Course. Each obstacle presented its own challenges, and each Cadet overcame those challenges in their own way. From swinging a certain way to leaping off one section of an obstacle to a completely new section, Cadets tackled every single task. “It’s a mixture of, they’re learning about themselves, they’re obviously nervous, [...]

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tzY1PfXdi1Y[/embedyt] FORT KNOX, Ky. – 2nd Regiment, Basic Camp Cadets learned the key to success from performance training experts, Maegan Guevara and Emerson Gagnon, as part of their training at Fort Knox, Ky. Performance training is for Cadets to gain the fundamentals about how to be successful in whatever they pursue. Guevara taught the Cadets the different types of motivations. Guevara described the four different types of motivation in this case for ROTC were scholarship, the fear of letting someone down, being an officer is the best way to get success in the military and family legacy or wanted to [...]

Cadets of the 3rd Regiment, Advanced Camp made the eight-mile ruck march this morning, June 24. The March Foot marches are hard work, there’s no question about it; 35 pounds on your back, decked out in full battle attire, marching for eight miles straight. They’re hard work, indeed. “Every ruck has its challenges,” Cadet Connor Sloan, from Kalamazoo, Michigan, and attending Michigan State University, said. These Cadets all train in different environments when they are back at their home university. From hills to flat land, training on a different type of land can increase the difficulty of that ruck, but that’s [...]

Fort Knox, Ky. – It was a sunny morning on the George Blair Range for the 5th regiment Cadets at weapons qualification today. The Cadets shot at pop-targets with the goal of shooting 23 out of the 40 targets, at a minimum. For some Cadets, this was a first exposure to pop-up targets. For Cadet Justin Larson from St. Simons Island, Georgia, who attends the University of Georgia, shooting at pop-up targets was a completely new experience. “This is my first time shooting on a pop-up range,” Larson said. “Honestly, I was nervous because I had never qualified on a pop-up [...]

Perspective.  A term that Cadets Teata Gutierrez, Michael Bock, Kendra Curtice and Calvin Dally used often when reflecting on their trip to Latvia through the Cadet Coalition Warfighter Program (CCWP); previously known as the Cultural Understanding and Leadership Program (CULP).  Gutierrez, Bock, Curtice, Dally and thirty-nine other Cadets travelled to Latvia as part of the CCWP. There, they immersed themselves into Latvia’s military infrastructure, European history and culture. Military to Military U.S. Cadets interacted with Latvian military personnel at Camp Adazi and the NCO Academy.  At the academy, U.S. and Latvian Cadets were grouped together and given a mind or strength [...]

When most people think of Peru, they think of the Amazon Rainforest, Machu Picchu or the Andes Mountains.  Cadets who were accepted into the Cadet Coalition Warfighter Program (CCWP) had a different experience on their trip to this South American country. Cadets stayed at the Escuela Militar de Chorrillos, the Peruvian Military Academy, where they spent their weeks training with the Peruvian military and their weekends exploring the diverse city of Lima.  Although Cadet Daniel Perez, from the University of Texas El Paso, found their training similar to that of the United States, he believed that the Peruvian training was more [...]

Seven-hundred Cadets. Each from their own school. Their own hometown. Their own story.  These seven-hundred Cadets make up 7th Regiment Advanced Camp, who began Cadet Summer Training (CST) yesterday at Fort Knox. “It’s an amazing opportunity. After I joined, I think I became a better man.  Discipline, order, cleanliness, patience and just being comfortable with being uncomfortable are all traits I acquired,” said Gilyard, who completed Basic Camp at Fort Knox last year. Something Gilyard struggled with at Basic Camp was completing land navigation and climbing the rope on the confidence course.  Like most Cadets, the fear of not passing an [...]

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PKpqAJ7qPEA[/embedyt] FORT KNOX, Ky. – Cadets from the Alpha Co., 4th Regiment were hand-grenade trained today, June 18, each of them booming with excitement. An Add On Handling and throwing live grenades is an entirely new addition to Advanced Camp. “It’s part of a series of events that are being brought in an attempt to replicate aspects from Basic Training,” Capt. Daniel Snow, assistant professor of military science for Kansas State University, said. The Commanding Gen. of the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) has decided that all soldiers, enlisted and commissioned alike, should train in the same tasks, [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky. — Cadets from 2nd Regiment Charlie and Delta Company took part in training that was brand new to the Cadet Summer Training (CST) here at Fort Knox. While Buddy Team Live Fire is a new addition to CST, it is a basic tenant to be a Soldier and officer in the Army. Two Cadets, or Battle Buddies, take turns moving down a lane and firing at pop up targets before tossing a dummy grenade at an objective. The training is broken up into two different phases: blank firing and live ammunition. Today was the blank firing phase. The [...]

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DBGMrcIJVf8[/embedyt] FORT KNOX, Ky. – If you’re a Cadet doing First Aid Training during Advanced Camp, Randy is a great partner to practice on. He’s not likely to complain or move around as you treat him. Rescue Randy is the nickname given to the mannequins used during First Aid Training. Cadets of 3rd Regiment, Advanced Camp separated into small groups and surrounded a “Randy.” Then, trainers explained how to perform several different medical procedures on the life-size mannequin. First, Randy had to be treated for an arterial bleed right above the knee. Randy was in a lot of pain and [...]

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5QkXVfclLs[/embedyt] FORT KNOX, Ky. – The Delta Co., 2nd Regiment, Advanced Camp Cadets lead their way through the Field Leader Reaction Course yesterday, June 6. The Field Leader Reaction Course (FLRC) puts Cadets, separated into squads, through obstacles that are modeled after situations that Soldiers have come across in historical American wars. To successfully complete an obstacle, the Cadets must get specific equipment through, as well as each squad member. With each new obstacle, a new Squad Leader is appointed. This offers a change in team dynamic with each different challenge. Some leaders take charge, others try to open more [...]

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8EFg7aCW7Kc[/embedyt] FORT KNOX, Ky. – Cadre members run a Casualty Evacuation Exercise at Christensen Range. The CASEVAC exercise is to make sure they are prepared in high-risk environments like the live grenade range. The exercise was all Cadre members. This specific CASEVAC scenario had two Cadre members in the grenade pit when a grenade went off. Both personal were hit with shrapnel in the legs. They were then treated by three of the five medics that were on hand. Once they were stable they moved them to the helicopter location. They would be airlifted out of Fort Knox up to [...]

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ow2VHG__nE[/embedyt] FORT KNOX, Ky. – The Alpha and Bravo Co., 2nd Regiment Cadets, tested their night land navigation skills late Sunday night on Ft. Knox. Cadets were given a map with two points that they were to find. Points are marked with orange and white, reflective signs posted on a stake. To pass, and this is a must-pass event, they only need to find one of those points within the two-hour time limit. To make RECONDO, they need to find both points within that time limit on their first try. Along with the map, Cadets are given a compass and [...]

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vS1KMrXmTk[/embedyt] FORT KNOX, Ky – The Alpha and Bravo Co., 1st Regiment Cadets moved to their third day of marksmanship during Basic Rifle Marksmanship training on Saturday morning on the George Blair Range at Ft. Knox, Kentucky. Weapons training is done at a pop-up course, new this summer to Advanced Camp. Previously, Advanced Camp has been 31 days long, focusing the marksmanship training on a paper course. The paper course focuses the shooting at paper targets that are constant and unmoving. Now, Advanced Camp is 37 days long, specifically to work more on the Cadets’ marksmanship ability. This has brought [...]

Fort Knox, Ky.— Tear gas released in the gas chamber of CBRN triggered various reactions in 2nd Regiment Advanced Camp Cadets today. Cadets spent the morning at the CBRN range completing the chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear training. The nervous Cadets started the training with a demonstration and then were split into platoons to go through instruction on safety equipment and procedures. Lt. Col. Laura Skinner is the Commissioned Officer in Charge of the CBRN training range. “From the 1st regiment through the 11th regiment we will be here running the CBRN range so that everybody can understand what skills and [...]

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yljztc__YQ4[/embedyt]Fort Knox, Ky. – Around 9 p.m. Tuesday, the 1st Regiment at Advanced Camp patiently waited for the sun to set before beginning their Night Land Navigation test.  Cadets had two hours to find at least one point, unassisted, on a course on the outer edge of Fort Knox. “Land nav is the essential function of leading Soldiers, especially soldiering skills like infantry.  It’s the basic building block to finding your way, knowing where to go, where you are, and knowing where to go after that,” explained Cadet John Just, an Organizational Leadership and Human Resource major at Ball State [...]

Fort Knox, Ky. – Early Tuesday morning on May 21, Cadre from different college’s ROTC programs gathered to evaluate other Cadre members as they completed a Threshold to Failure mission. They also learned how to increase or decrease stress for Cadets in these situations. The assigned squad leader was expected to lead the team through the different obstacles with an end goal of retrieving and returning an injured Soldier. Cadre were there to observe this mission and evaluate the leadership skills of the squad leader. Capt. Darren Ekey from the University of Tennessee at Martin explains, “Today’s mission is what we [...]